Control Number

Job Announcement Number

Job Overview

Summary

BLM is seeking a dynamic and energetic individual to join the team in Elko District in Elko, Nevada. The BLM manages more land - approximately 253 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estates throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our greatest natural resource.

This position is located in Elko, Nevada Information about the Elko, Nevada Location area can be found at Elko Chamber of Commerce.Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.

Duties

This position serves as a geologist in a Bureau of Land Management Office. The geologist is responsible for performing work that involves knowledge and application of the principles of geology, and being responsible for planning, initiating, directing, and executing the minerals program activities. The geologist plans, initiates, and directs work that involves compliance activities over mining industry, sales, permits and leases to assure the orderly development and conservation on minerals materials, locatable and leasable minerals on public lands; and assures maximum economic recovery of mineral deposits through review of industry operating plans for exploration, development, and extraction of minerals and compliance with the environmental reclamation requirements of Department of Interior's regulations and Bureau of Land Management policy.

Job Requirements

Key Requirements

U.S. Citizenship is required.

Security Clearance/Background Investigation is required.

Be sure to read the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" Sections

You cannot hold an active real estate license; nor can you

have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal land.

Evaluation of Experience: Acceptable experience may have been gained through geological field or laboratory work that provided a means of obtaining professional knowledge of the theory and application of the principles of geology and closely related sciences, e.g., geophysics, geochemistry, or hydrology. Such work generally must have involved making close observations, taking samples, handling various types of instruments and equipment, assembling geologic data from source materials, and analyzing and reporting findings orally and in writing. Experience that involved only one phase of geology work, e.g., collecting samples, would not be acceptable as providing the required professional knowledge of the theory and principles of geology. In some situations, professional scientific experience in other fields may be accepted in part as professional geological experience. Such experience must have been preceded by appropriate education in geology or by professional geological experience, and must have contributed directly and significantly to the applicant's professional geological competence. Examples include some positions in geophysics, mining engineering, soils science, physical oceanography, hydrology, climatology, biology, analytic or experimental chemistry, metallurgy, and comparable fields where the normal duties or results of investigations have been extended to the solution of geologic problems by the applicant. Ordinary functions of positions such as seismic, computer, petroleum or mining engineer, mine superintendent, or metallurgist generally are not considered professional geological experience. To receive credit for geological experience obtained in positions that are not full-time professional geological positions, the applicant is responsible for indicating clearly the actual time or percentage of time devoted to geologic duties within such positions, and for giving adequate descriptions of the geologic functions.In addition to meeting the basic entry requirement, applicants must have specialized experience and/or directly related education of the position to be found qualified. In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement - please be sure to include this information in your resume.To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade. Specialized Experience for the GS-07 Geologist: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in geology related experience and training. Examples: provide expertise in processing applications to conduct oil and gas drilling; assist in the review of mineral exploration proposals; prepare environmental assessments for minerals activities; advise the public on law, regulations and procedures that pertain to mining claims, material sales and mineral leasing; OR 1 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master`s degree or master`s or equivalent graduate degree in the field of geology or directly related fields of study; OR Superior academic achievement is based on one of the following: (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society member. For a detailed description of Superior Academic Achievement please visit: Superior Academic Achievement. OR have an equivalent combination of the type and level of experience and education described above. Only graduate level education in excess of the first year of may be combined with experience.

Specialized Experience for the GS-09 Geologist: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in geology related work. At this level, geologists independently perform recurring assignments that are more difficult & complex than those performed by a recent graduate. Examples: review & provide geologic expertise in the processing of applications to conduct drilling; review mineral exploration proposals & recommend stipulations to protect resource values; provide geologic data to staff engaged in drainage & economic evaluation; OR 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master`s degree or master`s or equivalent graduate degree in the field of geology or directly related fields of study; OR have an equivalent combination of the type and level of experience and education described above. Only graduate level education in excess of the first year of may be combined with experience.GS-11 Geologist: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in geology related work. At this level, work assignments require the geologist to determine approaches and solutions, using judgment in modifying, adapting and making compromises within standard guidelines, applying standard scientific practices to new situations and relating the work to precedents. Examples: experience gained through geological field or laboratory work that provided a means of obtaining professional knowledge of the theory and application of the principles of geology and closely related sciences, e.g., geophysics, geochemistry, or hydrology. Such work generally must have involved making close observations, taking samples, handling various types of instruments and equipment, assembling geologic data from source materials, and analyzing and reporting findings orally and in writing; OR 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in the field of geology or directly related fields of study; OR have an equivalent combination of the type and level of experience and education described above. Only graduate level education in excess of the first two years may be combined with experience.You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

This position falls under the group coverage qualification standards for Professional and Scientific positions in conjunction with the Individual Occupation Requirements for Geologist.Passage of a pre-employment physical is required. Field work requires a certain amount of physical stamina andis often under a variety of arduous conditions, including travel by vehicle, all train vehicles(ATV's), or foot over rugged, slipery, and/or hazardous terrain exposure to adverse temperature and weather conditions as well as physiographic extremes. May require recurring bending, crouching, stooping reaching or lifting of moderately heavy items, such as equipment and samples.

Additional Information

What To Expect Next

You will be notified of the status of your application as the qualification review process is conducted.

You may also check the status of your application by viewing your MY USAJOBs account.

BENEFITS

To explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees, visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at Federal Benefits at USAJOBS.

Other Information

SELECTIVE SERVICE: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System website.

May require completion of a 1 year probationary period.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources website at CTAP or ICTAP. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well-qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form.CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if they fall within the Best or Highly Qualified categories on the rating criteria for this position.BLM may use certain incentives, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract high quality applicants.

Occasional travel may be required.

You will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450. You will need to provide the information annually.

How to Apply

To receive consideration for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes ALL of the following items: 1. Your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire; 2. Your resume; and 3. Applicable supporting documents specified in the Required Documents section of this job announcement.

Click on the button "Apply OnLine" and login to MY USAJOBS.

If you haven't already registered with USAJOBS, the system will require you to create a user name and password, complete a questionnaire and paste or type a resume into USAJOBS.

If you have already registered with USAJOBS and forgot your login information, select the "Did you forget your username and/or password" link.Your application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time by the closing date of this announcement.

If you need assistance in applying on-line, please contact the HR Office at at (775) 861-6431 or email us at nvjobs@blm.gov. If applying on-line poses a hardship for you (i.e. you do not have access to the internet) you must contact us prior to the closing date of the announcement for an alternative method of applying.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your rating will be based on your responses to the Job Specific Questionnaire and the information stated in your resume. If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. In addition, interviews may be conducted for this position. The interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis or may be scored. The job specific questions relate to the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the work of this position.The job specific questions relate to the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the work at the GS-7 level: (1) Knowledge of basic geology, principals, theories, practices, and science of geology and minerals management. (2) Ability to research, collect, verify, interpret, and analyze a variety of complex directions, regulations, and information and communicate results to customers. (3) Trainee would know how to develop and update the geology and minerals portion of the local office planning system. (4) Knowledge of general mineral methodologies related to conducting inventories and mineral evaluations and preparing technical reports. (5) Knowledge of oil and gas applications for permits to drill, mineral material sales, free use permits, and sampling/testing permits, mining claims, occupancy uses, mining plan of operations, and notices of mining plan of operations.

The job specific questions relate to the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the work at the GS-9/11 levels: (1) Knowledge of the principles, theories, practices and science of geology and minerals management to accomplish work assignments; (2) Knowledge of federal mining law, rules and policies regarding mining law administration; mineral patents; surface management; surface use and occupancy; and valid and existing rights determinations; (3) Knowledge of Environmental Assessment (EA) procedures and ability to develop EAs in the minerals management program; (4) Knowledge of and demonstrated ability to prepare professional mineral reports and other associated technical reports and documents; and (5) Knowledge of programs relating to minerals program to provide multiple-use coordination necessary to complete work in other related processes such environmental assessments, land use planning and preparation of resource protection. To preview questions please click here.

Required Documents

In addition to the online application (resume and responses to the questionnaire), you are required to submit the following forms:

Copy of All Transcripts that include hours and grades from an accredited U.S. college/university. If your degree is from a Foreign Institution See Foreign Education.

Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: documentation verifying your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility - this includes a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.Veterans' Preference: If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the level of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be adjudicated (verified) by the employing agency using the documents you provide. For more information on which type of preference is applicable please visit: Vet Guide. For preference as 5-point veteran (TP), please provide your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions. For preference as a 10-point veteran (CP, CPS, or XP), please submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, DD-214, and the required documentation.If you are applying for this position based on eligibility under other noncompetitive special appointing authorities, you MUST submit proof of this eligibility.

You may submit your documents either via Auto-Requested Fax or by uploading your documents from your USAJOBS Profile.

Auto-Requested Fax: allows you to submit required documentation that will be electronically displayed along with your resume. The opportunity to do this will be provided during the application process by a pop-up message option to generate an auto-requested fax cover sheet.

UPLOADING DOCUMENTS: Instead of faxing your documents you may use the uploading procedures thru Applicant Manager. Do not use both options.

Hard copy paper supplemental documents, submitted without prior Human Resources approval, will be considered as an incomplete application.

Required documentation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.